Page 140 of Love Me Steadfast
“Doesn’t mean there’s not evidence. We just didn’t know where to look until today.”
My girl’s been hurting all this time. Alone. “Why didn’t she tell me?”
“I think that’s her story to tell.”
Tires crackling on the sandy pullout make me whip around. But I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
Chapter Forty-Three
CHARLOTTE
I skidto a stop behind William’s silver hatchback then throw open the door, my heart knocking into my throat.
He spins from where he’s slumped against his hood, his ocean-blue eyes glassy with emotion and tense with so much anguish that tears blur my vision as I race for him.
“Charlotte?”
I fly into his arms just as he pushes off to catch me. He wraps his arms around my waist and holds me tight against his chest.
Sobs rattle up my throat as I squeeze him. “Don’t leave me,” I say, choking on my words. “Not for this. Not for him.”
He sucks in a gasp and squeezes me harder. “I want to end him for what he did.”
“I know.” My words chatter across my tongue. “Don’t let him steal any more of us. Please, Will.”
“That’s why you didn’t tell me.” He rocks me in his strong arms. I’ve missed being held by him. Missed the way he always makes me feel safe.
“I couldn’t watch your dreams fall apart,” I say in a rush. “I love you too much.”
Another sob racks his frame and I squeeze him harder. “I should have been there. I should have protected you.”
“We can’t change the past.” I cradle his face and lean back so our eyes lock. “All we have is you and me. Nobody else gets a say. Not anymore.”
He sets me down and presses his forehead to mine. “I love you so much.”
I press a kiss to his trembling lips. “I love you, QB. I tried so hard to stop. I tried to set you free.”
He strokes down my hair, his eyes shining with so much love. “You’re my end, blackbird, remember?”
I grip his shoulders and kiss him again, ignoring the memory creeping into my mind. I won’t let Nic steal another moment from me, from us. “You’re my end and my beginning, too, QB.”
“I love you, Charlotte.” Our lips brush and he closes his eyes. The taste of his tears nearly breaks me, and I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him back.
“Stay,” I manage. “Stay with me, Will.”
Over the pounding of my heart and the crashing of the river behind us comes the growing buzz of a helicopter.
Will looks skyward just as a cloud of dust appears on the access road leading down to the stage. Three silver police vehicles are tearing down the slope, lights flashing. A black helicopter rises into view, closing in on the trailers.
“They’re here…for him?” William says, wiping his cheek.
“Hold me, Will, please?” I wrap my arms around his neck. “I don’t want to see it.”
William’s eyes snap to mine, and the anguish melts to a look of such caring that I start to cry again. He scoops me into his arms and carries me down toward the river. “I’ve got you, baby. You’re safe. I’ll never let him hurt you again.”
Even though I’m falling apart, I squeeze him tighter, locking him to me. The tiny broken pieces of myself that I’ve kept locked away forso long start humming inside me, shifting. Like they’re craving to be released.
Will lowers to the dry grass lining the riverbank and settles me on his lap, his arms wrapped around me. “Let it hurt, sweetheart,” he says, stroking my hair. “I’m here now to hold it with you. Let it hurt so I can carry it too.”
